Wagle gives up idea to override governor’s veto on bill to kill KU sex ed class

State Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, today said she will not ask the Senate to try to override Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto of a budget amendment aimed at Kansas University’s human sexuality class.

Wagle, the author of the amendment, said she didn’t have enough votes to override the veto.

The amendment, adopted by the Legislature, would have cut $3.1 million in state funding to the KU School of Social Welfare if it was determined that obscene materials were used in the human sexuality class.

Earlier this month, Sebelius line-item vetoed the amendment, saying the Kansas Board of Regents — not the Legislature — should mediate disputes about course content.

An override of Sebelius’ veto would require a two-thirds vote, which in the 40-member Senate would be 27 votes.

The amendment initially passed in the Senate, 24-13, with three senators not voting.

Wagle said she would have difficulty mounting a veto override.

But Wagle said she may try to get approved another amendment on the final budget bill as lawmakers started the wrap-up session.

She said the alternative amendment would probably focus solely on the human sexuality course and not the entire department of Social Welfare. Wagle said she had no details on the amendment. Wagle has said that the class’ instructor, Dennis Dailey, uses pornographic materials and has made inappropriate comments to female students. KU has denied the allegations.